The No. 22 BYU women’s soccer team came to play Friday, Oct. 4, at No. 20 Baylor for a huge test for the Cougars, and they pulled out a 2-1 win.
“This is a big win for us coming off a couple of losses,” said BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood.
BYU had been in a recent slump, going into the game having only won one of its last five games. The team went into this game looking to build some momentum heading into conference play next week.
“Anytime you get a big win on the road it gives you momentum going forward,” Rockwood said.
About 30 minutes into the game, senior midfielder Cloee Colohan put the Cougars on the board scoring off of a free kick. BYU won the free kick off of a BYU corner, and Colohan put the kick into the back of the net.
Colohan continued her dominant play and had a hand in the game-winning goal later in the game. Colohan and sophomore forward Sarah Chambers combined to find senior forward Colette Jepson Smith for the goal. Chambers slipped the ball past the defense and Smith was first to the ball and scored what proved to be the decisive goal.
“We had to play more direct and moved our forwards up higher. Sarah Chambers found Colette Jepson Smith, who took a left-footed shot at a tough angle, and that ended up the game-winner,” Rockwood said.
The BYU defense came up big again in this game, keeping another ranked team to only one goal. Erica Owens made four saves, and the back four and midfielders played another remarkable game.
“Erica came up really big for us. Our defenders did a fantastic job, and Rachel and Cloee battled really hard to win balls in the midfield,” Rockwood said.
The win will provide much-needed momentum heading into conference next week against San Francisco and a ranked Santa Clara team. The win also moves Coach Rockwood to 299 total wins at BYU.
